MICK UP FOR THE FIGHT

Mick McCarthy says he is fully aware of the tough task in hand as he looks to guide Blues away from the relegation zone.

The former Republic of Ireland boss reported to the training ground this morning for his first day as Town manager after signing a two and a half year contract at Portman Road.

Mick’s first game in charge will be Saturday’s trip to Birmingham, with Blues at the bottom of the Championship and five points adrift of safety.

“This is a good football club, first and foremost and it’s sad to see it languishing where it is,” Mick told Ipswich Player.

“I feel for Paul [Jewell] and Hutch [Chris Hutchings] and I have spoken to them both. I know how disappointed they are that it didn’t work out for them.

“When you look around the place, everything is here. It’s just not happened on the pitch.

“I’ll take opinions from the coaching staff and the players. Everyone has to analyse their own performance of why the Club is where it is.

“I want success here and I’ve got a good feeling about the place, that’s why I’m here. I want to get Ipswich Town going in the right direction but make no mistake, at the moment the Club is in a relegation battle and we’ve got to fight and scrap to get out of it.”

Subscribers to Ipswich Player can watch the full interview with Mick now.